Drone video taken to boost anti-bypass campaign

Villagers fighting against a planned bypass they say will 'kill' their village have released a drone video to help their cause.

Two of the proposed routes for the Arundel bypass, which will link two existing sections of dual-carriageway together, go through the village of Binsted, prompting protests from residents.

The video, taken on July 24 using a remote-controlled flying drone, shows aerial footage of Binsted village and its annual Binsted Strawberry Fair.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mike Tristram, a committee member for the Arundel Bypass Neighbourhood Commitee, said: “It brings into focus what might be destroyed if the Binsted option for the Arundel bypass is not dropped.”

The Arundel section of the A27 is often congested due to lack of capacity, both during and outside peak hours. Highways England is currently evaluating different solutions, some of which could impact Binstead village.

Emma Tristram, who helped to set up the campaign, said: “People were shocked to hear that the field where the fair is held could be under threat from the bypass.”

“This route would completely kill Binsted village”, she added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Highways England recently held a stakeholders’ meeting to which groups and individuals with an interest in the bypass were invited.

Bill Treves went on behalf of the committee, and reported back that, although two routes still posed a

major threat to Binsted, Highways England officials remained open to the possibility of an online bypass, largely based on the A27, but with junction improvements and some widening of single carriageway sections to dual carriageway standard.

Members of the public will be consulted on the Highways Agency’s final proposed options in spring 2017, with the preferred route announced in the autumn. Building work would then begin in 2021 with the route opening in 2023.